Excavator



F. L. WHITE April 21, 1942,

EXCAVATOR Filed Aug. 25, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l Gttorneg April 21,, 1942.F. L. WHITE 2,280,329

EXCAVATOR Filed Aug. 25, 1941 3 SheetsSheet 2 M/mentor 8g Q 64, W GnomesF. L. WHITE EXCAVATOR April 21, 1942.

Filed Aug. 25, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented-oApr. 21, 1942 vv2,230,329 UNITED STATES I PATENT orr cs amaze EEXCAVATOR of OhioApplication August 25, 1941, Serial No. 408,181 9 Claims. (01. 214-135)This invention relates to power shovels, excavators and hoists and inits more specific aspects relates to a means for controlling theclutching of 'the principal power drive for the travelling mechanism andfor the rotating mechanism of the platform of the hoist, shovel orexcavator.

The object of the invention is to produce a power control mechanismselectively applicable to the traversing and for the cab platformrotating mechanisms of the power excavator or hoist.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clutch control for thepower transmission of a portable excavator that will produce a smoothtransmission of power for either light or heavy loads.

Another object of the invention to provide a pressure fluidclutch'shifting device which will cause a given fluid pressure to to beapplied for low power requirements and will cause a higher givenpressure fluid to be applied when high power requirements are in demand.

A still further'object of the invention is ,to provide a pressure fluidclutch shifting device for the transmission of a power excavator orhoist that is instantaneously adjustable in pressure to either high orlow power requirements and which will afiord a smooth, even, steadydrive under all conditions.

Another and still further object of the invention is to provide apressure fluid operated clutch shifter for the reversing mechanism of apower drive of a power shovel or hoist that will cause a high pressureto be used when traversing the shovel and will cause a low pressure tobe applied to the shifter when the cab and platform is being rotated.-

Another and still further object of the invention is to provide a poweroperated clutch shifter for the reversing mechanism of a. power shovelor hoist transmission which will make available one pressure value onthe clutch plates when they are rotating the cab deck and will maketroublesome but for some of the available a pressure value on the platesabout.

double the value of the first pressure when they are traversing thehoist or excavator.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear to those skilledin the arts to which this invention pertains as the description proceedswhich taken in connection with the accompanying drawings sets forth apreferred embodiment of the invention but such disclosure is not to beconstrued as a limitation of the invention which is limited only by theappended claims and anyand all modifications, alterations and variationsof structure coming within the spirit and scope 'thereof are deemed tobe included herein.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a somewhat schematic side elevational view of a mechanismincorporating the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a somewhat schematic plan view of the mechanismincorporating the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a somewhat schematic end elevational view of the mechanismincorporating the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a circuit diagram of the hydraulic controls incorporatedinto the mechanism of the invention. Modern power hoists, cranes,excavators etc. have incorporated into various parts of theirtransmissions clutch shifters and gear shifters that are preferably pwer operated to control the various elements of the transmission. Theoperating characteristics of these clutches under high unit pressure isundesirable for lower rates of power transmission, 1. e.; when only asmall amount of power is required and which usually requires that powerbe transmitted in a smooth,

constant and unvarying rate. The principal,

element in this transmission is the reversing mechanism for the tractionor travelling element of the hoist and for the rotating of the cab deckand which may also be employed for the rotation of the winch. Thisreversing mechanism is common to all those mechanisms and alltransmissions to those devices include the reversing mechanism. It isessential that the reversing mechanisms deliver a smooth, unvarying andconstant power and unless proper precautions are taken this power flowwill be jerky. Jerkiness is prevented by permitting a certain amount ofslip in the plates of the clutches. For certain of the moving elementsthis jerkiness is not transmissions it is highly undesirable. Translatedinto specific instances it is no serious handicap when the winch or thetravelling elements are driven but it becomes highly troublesome andannoying when applied to the transmission for rotating the deck.

,While this is true of the reversing mechanism or clutch it is likewisetrue of the selector clutches and the solution applied to the one set ofcircumstances applies also to the other.

The applicant has therefore solved this problem by providing a hydrauliccircuit in which the pressures can be controlled for actuating theclutch or clutches and in which a smooth flow of power can be supplied.In the instant illustration the method is applied to but one set ofclutches inasmuch as if smooth power is provided 'at one point it can besupplied at others. It is possible to provide for a smooth flow of powerto the several transmissions by a slow application of pressure to thecylinders or motors actuating the clutch and it is also possible toprevent a jerky transmission by keeping the pressure in proportion tothe power transmitted or in other words to. employ a high unit pressureon the clutch plates when large quantities of power are r quired and alow unit pressure on the clutch may be applied to all or any clutchesand is not limited to the specific one illustrated.

The invention is embodied into a hoist which originates in a crawlermechanism i having a power receiving wheel 2 mounted on a shaft 3driving crawler i and which is operatively associated with a powertransmitting wheel 4 mounted on a transverse shaft 5 parallel to shaft 3and by a power transmitting element 6 schematically represented in Fig.l and also schematically illustrated in Fig. 3. Fixed to shaft 5 is abevel gear 1 that meshes with another bevel gear 8 fixed to a verticalshaft 3. Shaft 9 is driven from a gear ill through the medium of aclutch II which is shown as of the jaw variety but may be of the cone ordisc type especially if itis to be pressure fiuid actuated.

The gear It is rotatably supported in an appropriate bearing fixed inthe deck or platform l2 and meshes with a second gear II also rotatablysupported in' an appropriate bearing in deck i2 and this gear likewisemeshes with a third gear [4 similarly supported for rotation in the deckl2 as are gears II and I3. Gear l4 meshes with gear I5 fixed to a shaftl6 rotatably supported in reversing mechanism l1. The gear I 4 has ashaft l8 concentrically disposed thereof and which has a clutch elementl9 provided thereon for the purpose of selectively applying power to theshaft i8. The comments above regarding clutch il apply to clutch IS. Theshaft i8 has a gear 28 fixed thereon which meshes with the bull gear 2ithat is integrally associated with frame 22 for rotating the deck 12about element 22 rigidly fixed to the portion 23 of the frame supportingthe traction elements. An appropriate bearing surface is providedbetween the deck i2 and element 22 with which the bull gear 2! isintegrally associated.

The platform or deck i2 supports a swingable or tiltable boom 24 on pin25 fixed in a bracket 26 secured to the deck i2. The deck also supportsa pair of bracket elements 21 only one of which is shown between whichis mounted a winch or winding reel 28 having cable thereon and at theouter extremities of the brackets a sheave and bracket element 29 isprovided for raising and lowering the boom 24, all of this mechanismbeing more or less conventional in character.

From the foregoing it should be apparent that power may be selectivelyapplied to bull wheel 2i ,for rotating the deck 12 or traction elementsor crawlers l, i to traverse the mechanism. The

winch or reel 28 may also be selectively driven but this mechanism isnot shown as it may be similar acter. This shaft has supported thereonapair of bevel gears 3i and 32 each of which are rigidly connected toclutch elements 33 and 34. The gears 3| and 32 mesh with a bevel gear 33secured to shaft l6 and therefore transmitting power to the previouslydescribed mechanisms. The clutches 33 and 34 are preferably of the discvariety although cone type or band type clutches could be employed withequal facility.

Clutches 33 and 34 are selectively engaged by a pair of pressure fluidactuated motors 36 and 31 which in the instant illustration are of thesingle acting type, the clutches containing a spring for causing them todisengage. The pistons 38 and 39 are connected'to bell crank levers 48and 4| through'the medium of piston rods 42 and 43.- Each of the levers40 and M have convenient clutch sleeve or collar engaging elements 44and 45 which engage sleeve or collar elements 46 and 41 that rotaterelatively of the shaft 38 but which are operatively associated with theclutches 33 and 34 as illustrated. Actuation of either of the motors 36and 31 will selectively reversely rotate the shaft i 6 and therebycorrespondingly move deck l2 or travelers l, I.

The pressure fluid supply for the clutch shifting devices originates ina pressure pump 46 mounted on the deck l2 and by means of conduit 41leads to a reserve tank 48 and from thence is lead by means of conduit49 to one side of an adjustable reducing valve 50 and thence to one sideof a three-way selector valve 5|. The conduit 49 leads to and connectswith reducing valve 50 and thence leadsto the other side of selectorvalve 51 by means of conduit 49a. Conduit 52 connects the low pressureside of the valve 59 to the other side of valve 5!. The unit pressure inconduits 49 and 49a is about twice that of the pressure in conduit 52although valve 50 may be set at any desired value depending uponindividual circumstances.

Pressure fluid is then lead to the metering distributing valve 53through conduit 54 as illustrated and thence by conduits 55 and 56 isselectively lead to motors 36 and 31. Distributing valve 53 is manuallyoperated by a handle 51 and is adjustable to selectively apply pressurefluid to either of motors 36 and 31. Valve 5i is manually operated bymeans of handle 58 and is adapted to connect the lines of conduit to themotors 36 and 31 to either the high pressure conduit 49 or the lowpressure conduit 52. It should be apparent from the foregoing that bythe simple manipulation of one valve the operator can instantly selectone of two pressures and that by means of another valve he canselectively apply the selected pressures to the motors 36 and 31, andthereby use the desired unit pressure to secure the smooth and unvaryingdelivery of power to the particular transmissions. prevent the jerk inpower transmission when for instance the deck is being rotated and sincevalve 53 is of the metering type apply a low initial pressure andgradually step up the pressure as Patent of the United States is asfollows;

1. In a power crane; a traveller and a transmission therefor; a deckmounted on said traveller and a transmission to rotate same; a reversingmechanism common to each of said transmissions; a pair of clutches insaid. reversing mechanism; pressure fluidmotors to actuate each of saidclutches; a source of pressure fiuid sup- It will thereby duits; .avalvein to; selectiv ly svplya high-or s low unitpressure fluid to saidmotors; and a I metering distributing valve toa transmission with meansto selectively apply.

, power thereto; a deck rotatably mounted on said ,ing transmission.

device having a transmission therefor and means to apply it to saiddeck; clutch and gear mechanisms connected to said ns; pressure fluidmotors to selectively engage said clutches; a source of pressure fluid;conduits connecting said source and said motors; a selector-valveconnected to one of said conduits: a reducing valve connected to saidsource and adapted to supp y a low pressure fluid to said selectorvalve; and-a metering valve in t said conduits to distribute pressurefluid selectively to said motors; said metering valve admitting highpressure fluid P y; conduits connectingsouicerapre'ssurereducing'valveinsaid cong no slip in'sjaid'cluteheswhendriving -6. In a material handling devicelahigh transmission; alow-power transmission; a double clutch actuated gear mechanism commonto both' transmissions; a sourceof high pressure fluid; a source oflowpressure fluid; a selector valve; a metering distributor valve; a pairofpressure fluid motors to actuate said clutches; conduits when saidclutch and gear mechanism. is connected to said traction transmissionand low pressure fluid when connected to said deck rotat- 3. In a powercrane system; a crawler unit and 'a clutchable power transmissiontherefor; a deck unit on said crawler and a clutchable powertransmission therefor; a reversing mechanism connected to saidtransmissions; pressure fluid actuated means to selectively engage saidclutches; a low pressure fluid source; a high pressure fluid source; aselector valve for said high and low pressure fluid sources; a meteringdistributing valve to selectively apply said sources of pressure fluidto said pressure fluid actuated means; said low pressure fluid appliedwhen said reversing mechanism'is connected to said deck transmission andsaid high pressure fluid applied when said reversing mechanism isconnected to said tion device transmission;

crawler transmission; and'said metering valve gradually applyingpressure fluid of either source until said pressure fluid sources arefully selectively applied to said clutch-actuating, means.

4. In a transmission system for a power holsting crane; a traveller anda transmission therefor; a deck on said traveller and a transmissiontherefor; a reversible unit adapted to selectively actuate saidtransmissions; pressure fluid operated means to selectively apply saidreversible unit to said transmissions; a high pressure fluid supply; alow pressure fluid supply; a selector valve connected to said high andlow pressure fluid supply; and .a distributor valve to selectivelydistribute high and low pressure fluid to said pressure fluid operatedmeans; said low pressure fluid active when said reversible unit isdriving said deck transmission and said high pressure fluid active hensaid reversible unit is driving said traveller transmission.

5. In a power hoist and excavatingdevice; a

traveller and a transmission therefor; a rotatable deck on saidtraveller and a transmission therefor; a double clutch actuatedreversing mechanism to drive said transmissions; means to selectivelyengage said reversing clutches which includes to selectively engage saidclutches when driving the other of said transa double clutch reversingmechanism common to said transmissions; pressure fluid motors connectedto each of saidreversing clutches; a low pressure fluid-source ofsupply; a high pressure fluid source of supply; a metering distributingvalve; a three-way valve selectively admitting high pressure fluid-.anda low pressure fluid to said distributing metering valve; saiddistributing metering valve selectively admitting pressure fluid to saidmotors; said motors selectively receiving high pressure fluid when saidreversing mechanism is connected to said traction transmission throughits clutch and said motors selectively receiving low pressure fluid whensaid reversing mechanism is connected to said deck transmission throughits clutch.

8. In a material handling mechanism; a traca deck transmission; a

double clutch mechanism common to-both transmissions; a high pressurefluid supply; a low pressure fluid supply; a. pair or pressure, fluidmotors to selectively actuate said clutches; means to selectively applylow'pressure fluid to said motors when either of said clutches isconnected to said deck transmission; means to selectively apply highpressure fluid to said motors when either of said clutches is connectedtosaid traction transmission;

metering mechanism to gradually apply said pressure fluids to saidmotors.

9. A power transmission combination; a traveller including atransmission therefor; a deck on said traveller and a transmission forrotating said deck on said geared reversing mechanism common to bothtransmissions; power means to selectively actu'- ate each of saidclutches; a first source of energy for said power means; a second sourceor energy for said power means; said energysources being adjusted suchthat one a low pressure fluid means to selectively engage said clutcheswhen they driving one of said transmissions; and a high pressure fluidmeans been selectively applied .to

nect one source of energy to said clutches when the reversing mechanismis connected to said traveller transmissiom/and means to selectivelyconnect said other source or energy to said clutcheswhensaid reversingmechanism is connected to said deck transmission; said sources of energybeing applied gradually to said clutchesuntil the full force or eachsource of energy has said. clutches.

. in when driving andsaid-highpres'surefluidmeans and said meansincluding traveller; a double clutch,

is at a substantially highmam."

